The start of a new school year here in Thailand has brought a sea of tiny new faces. Many of these kids have friends or siblings with them, but there are also many who are there alone, in a strange place far from home. On my first day back at the school, I saw a tiny boy, probably no more than three, sobbing outside his classroom. He reached up, begging to be held. After holding him tightly for a few minutes he quieted down, but just kept crying softly. For him and many other kids, this was their life for the first several weeks. Alone, scared, and helpless, they would hang on desperately to whoever took time to hold and love them. No familiar faces, no mom or dad to comfort them or tuck them in at night, and no one they could depend on to be there when they needed help. Ever so slowly, though, their minds and bodies adapt, and little bits of happiness start to shine again through the cracks. With time they learn to laugh and play and make new friends. But still the trauma of abandonment will leave its scar on a part of their tiny hearts. I pray that our moments spent here will be a way for Jesus’ love to touch those wounds, and bring healing.
